Ice-making apparatus



Mar. 3, 1925.

H. FRIEDL I CE MAKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 i i 3 WZ J y d. J j -1 W 7 v 1 l I 1 II M \|L I I I I I I I I I I 1 I l| W 3% M M I j M m m m.% NR mm H. FRIEDL ICE MAKING APPARATUS Filed May 26. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 aZZ Mar. 3, 1925.

Mar. 3,1925.

H. FRIEDL ICE MAKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ailed Ma fl v 1 T V Z. Ra

Patented Mar. 3, 1925.

' UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE,

. HERMAN: FRIEDL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ICE-MARIN G APPARATUS.

Application filed May 26, 1924. Serial 1Tb. 715,902.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN FRIEDL, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ice-Making Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention, as-to one phase thereof, relates to the supplying of agitating air to the water in the ice cans, during the freezing thereof. In this connection it' may be stated that it is necessary, in order that the ice cake be free of cloudy portions, where the ice is formed from. raw or undistilled water, that the agitating air be supplied to the ice can, substantially at the center of the bottom of the can, which ,renders necessary the leading of the air-conducting pipe part way across the bottom of the can at its underside. Where the cans form elements of ice-making apparatus wherein the ice cans remain, at all times, in fixed position in the refrigerating tank, and the ice cakes are removed from the cans by lifting them from the latter, the provision of air pipes, to supply air through the centers of the bottoms of the cans, is a simple matter. Where, however, the ice cans form elements of icemaking apparatus in the operation of which the cans are removed from the refrigerating tank after the ice cakes have been formed, to ice-thawing and dumping means, which latter operate to move the cans to a'posi tion in which the ice cakes may slide therefrom, a very different condition is presented than in the case of the other type of apparatus referred to. Furthermore it should be borne in mind that the assembly of air conducting pipes, with the cans to be equipped should be such that the cans will not be weakened, or danger. of leakage of water therefrom, presented.

In connection with the above stated phase of my invention, it is my object to provide in a system involving the transferring of the cans from the refrigerating tank to a dumping apparatus, for the supplying of agitating air to the interior of the cans through substantially the centers of the bottoms of the cans, to the end that the ice cakes formed therein will be clear throughout their extent, damage to the air pipes will be avoided,

and the necessity of impairing the body of the cans for the assembly therewith of the air pipes, will be avoided, and thereby leakage from the can, due to such impairment,

obviated. A further object in this connection is to provide for the rigid and permanent connection of the air conducting pipes, with the bottoms of the cans, while aflording to those portions of the pipes which extend exterior of the can and along the, sides thereof, sufficient flexibility to allow for the necessary amount of contraction and expansion and cushion. them against shocks Another phase of my invention relates generally to ice-making apparatus wherein the ice cans are, in the operation of the apparatus, removed from the refrigerating tank for the dumping of'the ice cakes and wherein the cans are provided with air conducting pipes which extend exterior of the cans along their slde surfaces, and preferably open into the cans through the centers of the bottoms thereof, it being my object in this connection to insure against damage to the pipes in the operations of introducfrlgerating tank, especially where the tank is of a construction, as commonly provided,

involving cross-beams at its top provided for the purpose of supporting the separately removable cover sections for the tank.

Another phase of my invention, relatesto the provision of the cans in batteries, each battery comprising a plurality of the cans, whereby the cans forming a battery thereof, are movable from place to place as a unit. In this connection it is one of my objects to provide a novel, simple, durable and economical construction of frame for supporting the cansforming a battery thereof. Another object in this connection is to provide a frame, for the purpose stated,'of such construction that the cans will be held in position thereon, even when the battery ofcans is tilted to dump the ice cakes, and which will be free of obstruction to the discharge of theice cakes therefrom and which will not involve the impairing, in any way,

of the integrity of the cans; and a further 1,481,844 granted to Otto Luhr, January 29, 1924, but without, however, intending to limit it in any way to its embodiment in such a general system.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:-Figure 1 is a broken view in vertical sectional elevation of the refrigeratingfiank portion of an ice-making apparatus embodymg my invention, the section being taken in a plane extending crosswise of the several batteries of cans, certain only of which batteries are shown, and substantially parallel with the refrigerating coils. Figure 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 taken at the line 22 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows, this view showing certain only of the cans of the battery thereof illustrated. Figure 3 is a broken plan view of one of the similar batteries of cans and including the supporting frame therefor. Figure 4 is a' section taken at the line 4.-4 on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Figure 5 is a broken sectional view taken at the line 5 5 on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows, this view showing one of the plurality of crosspieces of the can-supporting frame. adapted for the attachment thereto of the hooks,.or the like, of a traveling crane or similar hoisting and carrying mechanism. Figure 6 is an end view of the cross-member of the -the tilting of the ice-cans to a position in which the ice cakes therein may slide out of the cans.

Referring to the particular apparatus illustrated, a refrigerating tank is represented at 10 this tank, rovided for receiving brine which is maintained at the desired low temperature by any suitable refri erant supplied to coils 11 located in the tan: 10 and spaced apart in a horizontal plane in substantially parallel relation, bemg provided with a partition 12 which extends lengthwise of the tank and divides the latter into two compartments through which the brine is circulated in any clesirable way, in accordance with common practice. The structure isformed, at the top of the tank 10, with a series of crossbeams 13 which are spaced apart in a horizontal plane in substantially parallel relation and substantially equi-distantly, these beams which extend crosswise of the coils 11 forming supports for the removable cover sections 14 commonly provided to extend across the topof the refrigerating tank.

The cans in which the ice cakes are to-be formed, are represented at 15, these cans being Provided in a plurality of batteries thereo each battery constituting a unit and each unit being formed of as many of the 15 of each battery thereof are spaced apart sufiiciently to permit them to re ister with the spaces rovided between ad acent ones of the refrigerating coils 11 as shown in Fig. 2. Each battery of cans comprises a frame-like supporting structure for the cans whereby the cans of each battery thereof may be moved, from place to place, as a unit. The supporting frame referred to and which, in the particular apparatus shown is of a construction particularly adapted for the supporting of a largenumber of cans to form a single battery thereof, is formed of side bars 16 and 17 arranged end to end, respectively, as represented in Fig. 3, with the aligning bars 16 arranged parallel with the aligning bars 17. The bars 16 and 17 are connected together at intervals by cross-members 18, 19 and 20, the crossmember 20 being provided at the adjacent ends of the bars 16 and the bars 17 and the cross-members 19 being located at different points along the frame and preferably equidistantly spaced apart a distance equal to four or five times the distance between adjacent ones of the bars 18. All of the crossmembers 19 are of the same form and size as the cross-members 18 except for additional portions thereon for the attachment thereto of the hooks, or the like, of lifting and carrying mechanism, as for example a crane. I

The cross-members 18 and 19 are each in the form of a frame comprising end portions 21, sidewall portions 22 and crossmembers 23, these frames, the parts of which are shown as formed integrally, being located between the side bars of the supporting frame and rigidly secured thereto as by the bolts represented at 21 which pass throu h the end portions 21 and the bars 16 and 17. The cans 15, in accordance with common practice, are provided at the upper ends of their outer surfaces, with flanges 24, and 25, the cans resting at their flanges 24 upon the upper edges of the side bars 16 and 17. The cross-members 18 and 19 are each provided along the upper edges of their side portions 22, with outwardly extending flanges 26 which overlap the adjacent flanges and the cross-members 1.!) are provided with cross-bar portions 27 for engaging with hooks, or the like, (not shown) commonly provided as parts of a lifting crane, or similarly operating mechanism. The cross member 20 is of the same general construction as the cross-members 18, its several parts bearing similar numerals. The cross member 20, however, is of greater Width and of slightly less length than the members 18, as shown, the adjacent ends of the side bars 16 and 17 being secured to the end portions 21 of this member, by means of the bolts represented at with stiffening plates L0 interposed between the ends of the cross-members 20 and the bars 16 and 17. The cross-member20 extends directly above the partition 12 and'in order that the refrigerating brine in the tank 10 may extend to a point closely adjacent the upper edges of the cans 15. and still below the upper edge of the partition 12. the end portions 21 of the cross member 20 and the plates 20 are slotted as indicated, ot' the end portions 21, at. 31 to receive the upper edge of this partition.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that several cans forming a hattery thereof are rigidly held in position in the supporting frame against displacement therein even when the battery of cans are tilted for the purpose of discharging the ice cakes therefrom. Furthermore the provision of the members which overlap the upper edge portions of the cans. dispenses with projections on the inner surfaces of the cans thereby avoiding obstruction to the discharging of the ice cakes therefrom: and the forming of the supporting frame, as stated, permits of the ready separate removal of each of the cans from the supporting frame and replacement therein. or substitution, without disturbing the other cans of the battery and without danger of impairing the cans.

The batteries of cans are; supported in the position shown in the drawings, through the medium of brackets 32 arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the, tank 10, these brackets being provided at their lower ends with inwardly extending ledges 33 upon which the ends of the bars 16 and 17 are seated when 'the batteries of cans are positioned in the tank 10 for subjection to the refrigerating cans.

Each battery of cans is provided along one side of its supporting frame, with a pipe 3d forming a header having branch pipes 35 at and thence part way across the bottoms of 36 shown as screwed into the outer end of this passage. The fitting 37 preferably extends short of the extreme lower edge of the can, and the portion of the pipe 36 which extends cross-wise of the bottom of the can inclines downwardly awa from the fitting and isspaced throughout its length from the can as shown in Fig. 7, this disposition of the pipes 36 permitting relative movement of the cans and the pipes, under expansion and contraction, without straining or impairing, the pipe connections.

The particular apparatus shown preferably has incorporated therein the feature disclosed in the Luhr patent above referred to, of providing for the maintenance of air pressure in the pipes 36, at'all times, this system involving the provision of a ipe represented at 40 which extends lengt iwise of the refrigerating tank 10 and in constant connection with air compressing means, the pipe 40 corresponding with the pipe 58 of said patent and is provided at intervals with branch pipes 41, as in the case of the pipe 58 and controlled by separate valves 4-2. The pipe 34 of each battery of cans extends" upwardly and terminates in branch pipes 4.3 and 44 valved as indicated at 45 and 46, respectively. The branch pipe 43 is provided for connection with a relatively short flexible pipe-47 for supplying air from the pipe 40 to the pipes 36 during the freezing of the water in the cans, and the branch pipe 44 is provided for connection with a long flexible pipe corresponding with the pipe 6:2 of said patent, this long flexible pipe being connected with the pipe 40 and through the medium otwhich air is supplied to the pipes 36 throughout the time that the batter of cans is outside of the refrigerating tank 10. for the general purpose as set forth in said patent.

The apparatusalso comprises means whereby the batteries of cans in their removal from, and introduction into, the tank. areguided to prevent the striking of the piping thereon, against the cross-beams 1 these means, in the particular construction shown comprising, for each battery of cans, upwardly converging guide surfaces 48 at each of opposite sides of the tank, the dis tance between the guide surfaces of each pair thereof being slightly less than the distance from the side bars 16 to the side bars 17.

The guide portions 48 which, by preference lit) and as shown, are formed as parts integral with the brackets 32, are so disposed that .in the vertical movementof the cans they will co-operate with the extremities of the side bars 16 and 17 and prevent the piping provided on the batteries of cans from-striking the cross beams 13.

Inasmuch as the pipes 36 extend below the lower edges of the cans at which the cans bear when restin on a support, provision is made, accordln to my invention, for preventing the imposition of the weight of the cans upon these pipes when the cans rest upon a support. p p In systems ofthe'kind in connection with which I prefer to employ my invention, the cans after the ice cakes have been formed therein, are lifted from the re fri rating tank and moved to can-tilting an ice-discharging apparatus,the ice cakes in the cans having been preparatorilysubjected to a thawing action suflicient to destroy the bond between the ice cakes and the cans. The ice cans when positioned in the tilting apparatus are supported at \with water, after the ice' is their bottom edges upon a tilting platform, or rest, which, in accordance wlth my invention, is of such form that the portions of the rest which register with theportions of the pipes 36 extending below the extreme lower edges of the cans, atr'ord recesses whereby the weight of the cans is borne wholly by the cans themselves at their extreme lower edges. As illustrative of this base of my invention I have shown in ig. 8 a portion of a can-tilting apparatus of a well known type and comprising a. platform, or rest, 49, shown as formed of sections,.each pivotally supported at trunnions-50 on'uprights 51, the sections of the platform 49 being each provided alongone edge thereof, with a stop plate 52. The floor portion of the platform 49 contains recesses 53 of such length and width that when the battery of cans is seated upon the platform 49 as shown in Fig. 8, the portions of the pipes, 36 which extend below the lower, seating, edges of the cans will extend freely mto these recesses and thus not be subjected to stress. These recesses 53' may be provided in any suitable way, but preferably by forming the floor of the platform 49 of parallel strips, as for example, planks, represented at 54, arranged substantially parallel with each other and suitably spaced apart to provide the recesses 53.

Inapparatus of the general type shown, it is common to provide a crane traveling in a predeterminedvpath for shiftingthe batterles of cans into the various positions above referred to, whereby when the battery of cans is lowered by the crane to the position shown in Fig; 8, the cans will rest upon the'platform 49 in a substantially predetermined position lengthwise of the platform, so that registration of the pipes 36 i tive to the platform 49 thatthe upwardly extending portions of the, pi es 36 extend adjacent the edge of the plat orm 49 opposite that equipped with the stop plate 52. It will furthermore be understood that, in order to prevent injury to the piping on the batteries of cans, the platform 49, to effect discharge of the ice cakes from the cans, would be tilted backwardly from the position shown in' Fig. 8.

While I have shown and described means for preventin the weight of the cans from ice-dump, it is obvious that should it be desired to support the cans at their lower edges, as, for example, in rechar gIthem di arged therefrom, the same means may be utilized to preventinjury to the ipes 36. It will be understood from the foregoing that by employing my invention it is possible to provide highly practical means for the introduction into the cans at the center portions of the bottoms thereof, agitating air, in a system involving the transferring of the cans, more particularly ,in batteries thereof, from the tank in which the ice cakes are formed, to the several portions of the ap aratus inwhich the ice cakes are thawed, til the cans and the cans again filled with water preparatory to their return to the refrigerating tan and such transference effected with the minimum danger of impairment of the piping, together with its connections, carried by the batteries of cans.

While I have illustrated and described a particular construction of apparatus embodying my invention, I dojnot wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modifiedand altered without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In ice-making apparatus, the combination of a tank havmg cross-members extending across its u per end, a movable support for a battery o ice cans for supporting the latter in said tank, guide-engaging means on the opposite ends of said support, and guide-means on said tank positioned for engagement by said. support as the cans approach their lowermost positon in the tank between adjacent ones of said cross-members, whereby said cans are prevented from contacting with said cross-members.

e cakes thereafter dumped from 2. In ice-making apparatus, the combination of a tank having cross-members extending across its upper end, a movable support for a batter o ice-cans for supporting the latter in sai tank, cans on said support, airconducting pipes connected with said cans and extending downwardly at thewexterior surfaces of saidcans and opening into the latter and so arranged that they extend be tween the plane occupied by an adjacent cross-member and the adjacent side surfaces of said cans, and guide-means on said tank positioned for engagement by said support in the lowering of the cans into said tank between adjacent cross-members and operating to so guide safd cans as they approach their lowermost position in the tank as to prevent the contacting of said air. pipes with said cross-members.

3. In combination, a movable supporting frame for receiving cans, cans having portions at which they rest upon said frame, and members having portions overlapping the said cans, for the purpose set forth, said members being separately releasable to permit the cans to be separately removed from said frame.

4:. In combination, a supporting frame formed of side-bars and spaced-apart crossmembers, and cans located in the openings between adjacent cross-members and having portions at which they rest upon said frame, said cross-members having portions which overlap portions of said cans, for the purpose set forth. I

5. In combination, a sup orting frame formed of side-bars, space -apart crossmembers and means separately and releasably securin said crossmembers to said side-bars, and cans located in the openings between adjacent cross-members and having portions at which they rest upon said bars, said cross-members having portions which overla portions of said cans, for the purpose set orth.

6. In ice-making apparatus, the combination of a refrigerating tank containing an upwardly extending partition, and a support for a battery of ice-cans for supporting the latter in said tank, formed of side-members arranged side-by-side in spaced relation and each comprising alining bar-sections spaced apart at their adjacent ends, and means securing said bar sections together in spaced-apart relation and comprising coupling members connecting together the adjacent ends of said bar-sections and containing downwardly opening recesses to receive the upper edge of said partition.

7. In ice-making apparatus, the combination of a refrigerating tank containing an upwardly-extending partition, a support for a battery of ice-cans for supporting the latter in said tank, formed on side-members arranged side-by-side in spaced relation and each comprising alining bar-sections spaced apart at their adjacent ends, and means'securing said bar-sections together in spacedapart relation and com rising coupling members connecting toget er the adjacent ends of said bar-sections and containing their lower edges, said dumping device being provided with recesses into which those portions of the airpipes which are below the lower edges of the cans extend for the purpose set forth. 1

9. In ice-making apparatus, the combination of a battery of cans each provided with an air pipe, which extends beyond its outer side wall and thence crosswise of its bottom and below its lower edge, and which opens into the can substantially at the center of its bottom, of a dumping device for sup porting the battery of cans by engagement with each can at its lower edge, said dumping device containing recesses into which those portions of the pi es which are be neath the bottom of eac of the cans extend, for the purpose set forth.

. 10. In combination, a movable supporting frame for receiving a lurality of cans, cans having portions at w ich they rest upon said frame, cross-members located between adjacent cans, and means overlapping said cans and serving to hold the latter against displacement in a direction opposite to their movement in being introduced into said frame.

11. In ice-making apparatus, the combination of a tank having cross members extending across its upper end, a movable support for a battery of ice-cans for supporting the latter in said tank, cans on said support, air-conducting pipes for said cans comprising a header with depending branch pipes extending downwardly at the exterior surfaces of said cans and opening into the bottom of the latter, said branch pipes being so arranged asto extend between the plane occupied by an adjacent cross-member and the adjacent side surfaces of saidcans, and coacting means on the movable support and the tank whereby to prevent the impinging- 12-. In ice-making apparatus, the combithe latter, and so arranged that they extend between the plane occupied by an adjacent cross-memberand the adjacent side surfaces of said cans, guide-means on said tank positioned for engagement by said support in the lowering of the cans into said tank be tween adjacent cross-members and operating to gulde said scans into lower position on said tank without danger of said airpipes contacting said cross-members, and surfaces on the aide-means, with which the ends of the gui e-engaging portions of the removable support for the cans rest in the lowermost position of the support.

13. In ice-making machinery, in combination a can an air-supply pipe extending below the plane of the bottom of the can, and a receiving member on which the can seats provided with a recess into which that ortion of the ainsupply pipe which is beow the bottom of the can extends, whereby to prevent the weight of the can injuring said pipe. 7 v

HERMAN FRIEDL. 

